Traveling-case frame



Dec. 31, 1929. M. AXELMAN 1,741,603

TRAVELING CASE FRAME Filed Feb. 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 7770 67 (/1[mar 7. M 1.

El A ty Dec. 31, 1929. M. AXELMAN 1,741,603

TRAVELING CASE FRAME Filed Feb. 2. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mayer'fhe flmanA]T ys- Dec. 31, 1929. M. AXELMAN 1,741,603 TRAV'ELING CASBFRAIIE FiledFeb. 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IP15.- i

VE IEJR Patented Dec. 31,1929

PATENT OFFICE MAYER .AXELMAN. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TRAVELING-CASE FRAMEApplication filed February This invention relates to a traveling bag andconcerns itself primarily with the mouth frame or upper structure of thebag.

In the construction of such bags heretofore, a pair of U-shaped anglemembers pivoted together at their lower ends constituted the mouthframe. The depending flange of the angle was usually slitted to providefor stitching. Not only are such frames expensive, but it is also moreor less diflicult and tedious to sheath the same and attach the body ofthe bag thereto. Further the bag frames heretofore used could not veryeasily be fully opened and maintained in such position, then the lock,latching mechanism and one angle of the frame would always project intothe open mouth of the bag so that there was always .liability of theuser tearing a garment or injuring himself. In such bags a good deal ofthe stitching has to be done by hand that is more or less costly.Further as constructed, there was a tendency for the bag to sag justbelow the frame.

This invention seeks toovercome the above noted objections in theprovision of a frame consisting of flat metal members which are muchcheaper than the angle members heretofore used, which can readily besheathed by machine, which can also be sewed to the bag by machine,thereby materially reducing the cost and labor heretofore required. Theinvention also seeks to provide a bag in which the frame members canreadily be swung and maintained in full open horizontal position, inwhich no latches or parts project from the frame members into the mouthof the bag when open, and which is so constructed that it will alwaystend to maintain its shape.

IVith these and other advantages in view which will become more apparentin the following description and disclosures, this invention comprisesthe novel structure and combinations hereinafter described and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthis invention and in which similar reference nutheir hinge or pivotedconnection.

2, 1925. Serial No. 8,476.

merals refer to similar features in the different views Figure 1 is aside elevational view of a traveling bag involving this invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the bag. Figure 3 is an enlargedfragmentary sec tional view through the top of the bag taken in alongitudinal direction.

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the top of the bag takenupon the line 11- 1 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View through the frame ofthe bag.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional View of the joint of the framemembers.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the framemembers including Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view upon the line88 of Figure 5 illustrating the offset feature of the frame members atthe corners.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of a slightly modified form ofthe invention.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional View upon the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged interior fragmentary plan view of the sheathedframe.

Figure 12 is a plan View of the bag in slightly modified form in openposition.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of the modified bag in openposition.

Figure 14 is a bottom plan view partly in section, of the locking meansshown in Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

In constructing a traveling bag according to this invention, stock forthe flat frame members is cut into appropriate lengths. These lengthswhich are designated in the drawings by reference numerals 1 and 2 arethen sheathed in leather or the like. The ends of the sheaths projectbelow the frame members as indicated at 9 in Figures 8 and 11, and thesesheaths are closed by a double row of stitching or in other words by twospaced seams 18 as shown on Figure 10. The pur pose of this is to impartsufficient rigidity to these projecting portions of the sheaths whichare designed to support the body of the bag. It is obvious that thesesheaths may be attached to the frames by a machine and that the. framemembers may be bent into appropriate form after they are sheathed. Theseframes bent into appropriate form which are commonly known as U-shapesare pivoted together at'their lower ends by pivot :pins 3. If desirablethe hinged portions may be offset toward each other as shown in Figure 6and rivets with conical heads may be attached to the member 1 onopposite sides of the pivot 3 for engaging conical recesses 6 in theother member and in which a spring 4 may be attached to the member 2 forexerting a yielding pressure on the pivot 3. lVith this construction itwill be apparent that when the frame members are swung into horizontalposition for opening the mouth of the bag, the conical heads of therivets 5 will snap into the depression 6. When the bag is closed theconical heads .of the rivets 5 will readily snap out of said depression.

If desirable the fiat frame members 1 and 2 may be slightly offset atadjacent points as indicated at 7 and 8 in Figure 8. These offsetportions need not extend co-extensive with the frame members but may bemade at the corners or at any spaced points. These offset portionsafford abutting shoulders for limiting the telescopic movements thereof.It is however not necessary to use such offset shoulders since the bodyof the bag usually serves as a shoulder for limiting the telescopicmovement of the frame members as shown in Figure 10 in which theshoulder 28 formed by the upper margin of the bag 20 serves as asufficient stop for such a purpose.

The inner frame member 2 after it is sheathed is provided with suitableslots 12 in which. eyelets are fastened. These slots are adapted forreceiving the locking latches 12 which are pivotally mounted upon theouter frame member 1. ln referring to Figure 5 it will be noted thatthese latches are so formed that they engage under the inner framemember 2 for clauiiping or forcing the same against the outer framemember 1.

As these flat frame members are not sufficiently rigid for carrying theload of such a bag, an inverted channel member 10 is attached to theouter frame member by means of rivets 13 or the like. Thischannel member10 may extend down the ends of the frame as shown in Figure 5 or it mayonly. extend horizontally along the top of the frame as shown in Figure12. This channel top will sufficiently rigidify the outer frame member 1which supports the load of the bag to prevent flexure of'the frame. Theaforementioned latches 12 are pivoted upon the top of this channelmember and extend through suitable slot-s provided in said channelmember .and also in the upper frame member 1.

These slots are in registry "with the aforementioned slots 12 in theinner frame member 2. In referring to Figures 3 and 5 it will be notedthat the upper inner sides of these latches are provided with notches 14which are designed for receiving the ends of slide plates 15 sustainedagainst the inner side of the web of the channel. These slide platesextend substantially to the middle portion of the channel member 10.;their inner ends are slotted as indicated at 15 in Figure 14 forreceiving the ends of the U-shaped strip 21, the ends of which areriveted to the web of the channel. A U-shaped leaf spring 22 is mountedwithin the channel member and the ends thereof yieldingly engage struckdown lugs 23 on the slide plates 15. The inner ends of the slide platesare slightly spaced apart as shown in Figure 14. A rectangular lockingblock 11 having inclined ends and a key slot is positioned between theslide plates and is adapted to be actuated by a suitable key. In theposition shown in Figure 14, the locking block 11 maintains the slideplates 15 in en gagement with the notches 14 in the latch members 12 tolock the suit case from being opened. However if the locking block 11 isturned through an angle of 90 it will release the slide plates 15 sothat the same may be drawn together by the spring 22. If the slideplates 15 are thuswise drawn together they will become disengaged fromthe latches 12 whereby the latches may be swung upwardly upon theirpivots for unlocking the bag.-

It will be appreciated that this construction eliminates the customarylock on one frame member and the projecting clasps on the other framemember for receiving a locking bolt and the latches. Consequently in myimproved structure the inner periphery of the frame is free from anyobstructions provid ing of course that the latches 12 are in operativeposition when the bag is open.

The latches 12 are usually pivoted to a support 29 which may be securedunder the channel shown in Figure 5 or may be secured to a support 80secured upon the outer web of the channel as shown in Figure 9. It istherefore readily apparent that the latches, slide plates, lockingmechanism and a handle 16 may be mounted upon the channel member 10before it is assembled. It will be only necessary then to rivet thechannel member upon the outer frame member 1.

In the modification shown in Figures 9-13 the flat frame members 1 and 2are not offset at their ends as shown in Figure 6 norare they providedwith offset shoulders as shown in Figure 8. In referring to Figure 10 itwill be observed that the sheaths 17 have comparatively long extensions9 which afford in conmotion with the two seams 18 a si-i-fficient'lystrong support for the body 20- of the bag so that the latter willmaintain its shape without undue liability'of sagging adjacent the framemembers. As the frame members are flat, it

scribed my name.

is possible to sew the body of the bag 20 to the extensions 9 on amachine, an operation which could not be performed if the frame memberswere made of angle members.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that I have greatly simplifiedthe construction of a traveling bag and have cheapened its constructionand at the same time have provided a structure in which the liability ofsagging is reduced and in which the mouth of the frame can be fullyextended and in which no locking latches extend from the inner peripheryof the frame when the mouth of the bag is in open position.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a traveling bag, a mouth frame comprising a pair of substantiallyflat U-shaped members having their lower ends hinged together, saidmembers being adapted to be folded in superposed relation, a channelsection upon the outer member, latches secured to said channel memberfor locking engagement with registering apertures in said frame members,and means for locking said latches in operative position.

2. A frame for a traveling case comprising a pair of flat metal stripsadapted to be swung into superposed relation, said strips havingregistering slots when in superposed relation, a reinforcing membersecured to the outer strip, said member having a pair of latches pivotedthereto adapted for entering said registering slots, and means forlooking said latches in latching position.

3. In a frame for a traveling case, a pair of fiat metal strips adaptedto be folded into superposed relation, said strips having aperturesadapted to be brought into registery when said strips are in superposedrelation, a reinforcing bar secured to one strip, latches carried bysaid reinforcing bar for engaging in said apertures, and means forsimultaneously locking said latches in latching position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- MAYER AXELMAN.

